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Economy of Latvia vs Malaysia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Latvia has a GDP of $43.7B compared to $422B for Malaysia, ranking 99/197 and 38/197 by economy size, respectively.

Latvia has $20.4B in government debt (46.8% of GDP), compared to $296B (70.1% of GDP) in Malaysia.

Latvia vs Malaysia GDP by year

Latvia
Malaysia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Latvia Malaysia
2024 $43,684,254,432 $422,227,005,429
2023 $42,779,550,937 $399,949,418,753
2022 $38,003,198,509 $407,830,525,990
2021 $38,183,326,785 $373,784,553,030
2020 $33,379,927,435 $337,456,163,961
2019 $33,099,503,951 $365,177,721,022
2018 $33,247,935,477 $358,788,845,713
2017 $29,391,059,767 $319,109,094,160
2016 $27,117,105,060 $301,256,033,870
2015 $26,344,565,877 $301,355,266,965
2014 $30,277,203,767 $338,066,095,097
2013 $29,152,128,168 $323,276,235,524
2012 $27,116,149,949 $314,443,047,642
2011 $26,575,547,901 $297,951,668,675
2010 $23,468,324,572 $255,017,638,456
2009 $25,691,530,442 $202,257,453,037
2008 $34,135,200,994 $230,811,614,370
2007 $29,420,499,248 $193,549,569,478
2006 $20,434,922,247 $162,692,258,307
2005 $16,306,935,905 $143,534,405,819
2004 $13,827,070,379 $124,749,473,684
2003 $11,244,337,720 $110,202,368,421
2002 $9,249,030,241 $100,845,526,316
2001 $8,190,888,740 $92,783,947,368
2000 $7,761,252,607 $93,789,736,842
1999 $7,324,192,890 $79,148,421,053
1998 $6,974,112,951 $72,167,498,981
1997 $6,349,481,007 $100,005,323,302
1996 $5,799,465,288 $100,855,393,910
1995 $5,608,208,785 $88,705,342,903
1994 - $74,478,356,958
1993 - $66,894,966,969
1992 - $59,167,550,163
1991 - $49,143,148,094
1990 - $44,024,585,240
1989 - $38,847,965,293
1988 - $35,272,109,220
1987 - $32,181,210,158
1986 - $27,734,111,400
1985 - $31,199,633,353
1984 - $33,942,897,422
1983 - $30,347,442,111
1982 - $26,804,493,635
1981 - $25,004,285,792
1980 - $24,488,224,677
1979 - $21,213,264,962
1978 - $16,358,079,862
1977 - $13,139,488,633
1976 - $11,050,234,599
1975 - $9,298,800,799
1974 - $9,496,204,302
1973 - $7,662,902,678
1972 - $5,043,347,250
1971 - $4,244,395,956
1970 - $3,864,145,667
1969 - $3,664,552,041
1968 - $3,330,371,551
1967 - $3,188,924,677
1966 - $3,143,517,944
1965 - $2,956,337,669
1964 - $2,674,423,922
1963 - $2,510,110,348
1962 - $2,001,489,602
1961 - $1,901,856,123
1960 - $1,916,229,477

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/latvia/malaysia | CC BY

GDP per capita in Latvia vs Malaysia by year

Latvia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Malaysia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Latvia Malaysia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $23,409 $43,394 $11,874 $38,779
2023 $22,710 $42,576 $11,386 $36,467
2022 $20,221 $40,559 $11,755 $34,420
2021 $20,262 $36,912 $10,903 $29,823
2020 $17,564 $32,741 $9,958 $27,475
2019 $17,295 $32,199 $10,920 $28,934
2018 $17,252 $29,818 $10,902 $27,794
2017 $15,132 $25,764 $9,863 $26,416
2016 $13,839 $24,063 $9,477 $25,286
2015 $13,322 $22,544 $9,649 $24,526
2014 $15,186 $21,554 $11,013 $24,307
2013 $14,484 $20,474 $10,714 $23,161
2012 $13,329 $19,417 $10,601 $22,639
2011 $12,903 $17,680 $10,217 $21,324
2010 $11,188 $16,373 $8,899 $20,193
2009 $11,996 $15,545 $7,191 $18,923
2008 $15,678 $17,443 $8,372 $19,480
2007 $13,371 $16,246 $7,169 $18,617
2006 $9,212 $14,180 $6,158 $17,426
2005 $7,284 $12,826 $5,556 $16,371
2004 $6,110 $11,319 $4,939 $15,416
2003 $4,915 $10,193 $4,465 $14,387
2002 $4,004 $9,569 $4,184 $13,656
2001 $3,505 $8,808 $3,944 $13,072
2000 $3,278 $7,849 $4,084 $13,027
1999 $3,064 $7,256 $3,528 $11,980
1998 $2,894 $6,922 $3,294 $11,398
1997 $2,610 $6,366 $4,679 $12,469
1996 $2,360 $5,688 $4,837 $11,709
1995 $2,257 $5,391 $4,363 $10,720
1994 - $5,012 $3,758 $9,806
1993 - $4,722 $3,462 $9,018
1992 - $4,760 $3,141 $8,224
1991 - $6,762 $2,679 $7,583
1990 - $7,448 $2,469 $6,887
1989 - - $2,244 -
1988 - - $2,100 -
1987 - - $1,977 -
1986 - - $1,760 -
1985 - - $2,046 -
1984 - - $2,300 -
1983 - - $2,124 -
1982 - - $1,938 -
1981 - - $1,866 -
1980 - - $1,886 -
1979 - - $1,680 -
1978 - - $1,327 -
1977 - - $1,092 -
1976 - - $940 -
1975 - - $811 -
1974 - - $848 -
1973 - - $701 -
1972 - - $472 -
1971 - - $407 -
1970 - - $380 -
1969 - - $368 -
1968 - - $342 -
1967 - - $335 -
1966 - - $339 -
1965 - - $326 -
1964 - - $303 -
1963 - - $291.8 -
1962 - - $238.8 -
1961 - - $232.9 -
1960 - - $240.8 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/latvia/malaysia | CC BY

Latvia's GDP per capita is $23,409, ranking 54/197, compared to $11,874 in Malaysia, ranking 79/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Latvia ranks 53rd at $43,394, while Malaysia ranks 60th at $38,779.

Economic indicators

Latvia Malaysia
Gross domestic product
$43.7B
2024
$422B
2024
GDP rank
99/197
2024
38/197
2024
GDP growth
-0.05%
2023-2024
5.11%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$23,409
2024
$11,874
2024
GDP per capita rank
54/197
2024
79/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$43,394
2024
$38,779
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
53/197
2024
60/197
2024
Government debt
$20.4B
2024
$296B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
46.8%
2024
70.1%
2024
Government debt per person
$10,945
2024
$8,322
2024
Government debt per person rank
53/185
2024
62/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$17,033
2026
$11,005
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$449B
2024
Number of billionaires n/a
19
2025
Income share by richest 10%
26.2%
2023
30.9%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
2.6%
2023
2.3%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
44.5%
2024
23.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.27%
2023-2024
1.83%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
2.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
6.88%
2024
3.93%
2022
Population
1829763
36512221

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Latvia
Spending

Debt
Malaysia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Latvia Malaysia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 44.5% 46.8% 23.9% 70.1%
2023 43.1% 44.6% 24.9% 69.7%
2022 43.5% 44.4% 24.6% 65.5%
2021 44.6% 45.9% 24.5% 69.2%
2020 42.6% 44% 25% 67.7%
2019 39% 37.9% 23.6% 57.1%
2018 39.4% 38.3% 22.8% 55.6%
2017 37.8% 40.3% 22% 54.4%
2016 37.4% 41.7% 22.9% 55.8%
2015 38.7% 38.3% 24.7% 57%
2014 39.2% 43.1% 26% 55.4%
2013 38.7% 41.8% 27.8% 55.7%
2012 38.6% 44.4% 28.5% 53.8%
2011 41.2% 46.8% 27.1% 51.9%
2010 43.6% 48.2% 26.6% 51.2%
2009 43.6% 37.6% 30.9% 50.4%
2008 38.2% 19.3% 26.9% 39.4%
2007 34.8% 9% 25.9% 39.3%
2006 35.5% 10.7% 25.6% 39.7%
2005 35.8% 12.5% 24.5% 40.8%
2004 34.8% 15.3% 25.9% 42%
2003 34.4% 15.4% 28.1% 41.4%
2002 35.4% 15.4% 27.1% 39.5%
2001 35% 17.8% 28.2% 38.1%
2000 37% 15.1% 25.6% 32.5%
1999 40.4% 14.8% 24.6% 34.4%
1998 38.1% 9.81% 23.1% 33.6%
1997 - - 21.2% 29.6%
1996 - - 22.4% 32.8%
1995 - - 22.6% 38.2%
1994 - - 23.3% 43.7%
1993 - - 24.6% 51.1%
1992 - - 28.2% 59.1%
1991 - - 27.4% 67.3%
1990 - - 30.5% 74.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/latvia/malaysia | CC BY

In 2024, Latvia's government spending was $19.4B, accounting for 44.5% of its GDP, while Malaysia spent $101B, or 23.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 46.8% in Latvia and 70.1% in Malaysia, ranking 116/185 and 58/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Latvia

Malaysia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Latvia Malaysia
2024 -1.82% -3.95%
2023 -3.38% -3.97%
2022 -3.94% -4.56%
2021 -5.71% -6.03%
2020 -3.85% -4.9%
2019 -0.39% -2.01%
2018 -0.77% -2.64%
2017 -0.85% -2.41%
2016 -0.41% -2.6%
2015 -1.57% -2.55%
2014 -1.74% -2.63%
2013 -0.58% -3.48%
2012 0.18% -3.1%
2011 -3.38% -3.57%
2010 -6.56% -4.32%
2009 -7.14% -5.88%
2008 -3.29% -3.4%
2007 0.63% -2.57%
2006 -0.48% -2.6%
2005 -1.06% -2.83%
2004 -1.04% -3.35%
2003 -1.67% -4.6%
2002 -2.59% -3.96%
2001 -2.03% -4.36%
2000 -2.57% -6.05%
1999 -3.54% -3%
1998 -0.66% -0.63%
1997 - 4.84%
1996 - 3.27%
1995 - 3.1%
1994 - 5.45%
1993 - 3.44%
1992 - 1.81%
1991 - 1.6%
1990 - 0.15%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/latvia/malaysia | CC BY

In 2024, Latvia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $797M, equivalent to 1.82% of GDP. This compares to Malaysia's deficit of $16.7B, or 3.95% of GDP.

Over the past 27 years, Latvia recorded a fiscal deficit in 25 of those years, while Malaysia ran a deficit in 27 years. On average, Latvia posted an annual deficit equal to 2.23% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.55% of GDP for Malaysia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Latvia

Malaysia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Latvia Malaysia
2024 1.27% 1.83%
2023 8.94% 2.49%
2022 17.3% 3.38%
2021 3.28% 2.48%
2020 0.22% -1.14%
2019 2.81% 0.66%
2018 2.53% 0.88%
2017 2.93% 3.87%
2016 0.14% 2.09%
2015 0.17% 2.1%
2014 0.62% 3.14%
2013 -0.03% 2.11%
2012 2.26% 1.66%
2011 4.37% 3.17%
2010 -1.08% 1.62%
2009 3.53% 0.58%
2008 15.4% 5.44%
2007 10.1% 2.03%
2006 6.54% 3.61%
2005 6.75% 2.98%
2004 6.19% 1.42%
2003 2.94% 1.09%
2002 1.94% 1.81%
2001 2.49% 1.42%
2000 2.65% 1.53%
1999 2.36% 2.74%
1998 4.64% 5.27%
1997 8.45% 2.66%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/latvia/malaysia | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Latvia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.28%, compared with 2.25% in Malaysia. In 2024, inflation was 1.27% in Latvia and 1.83% in Malaysia.

Top exports between countries

Latvia
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $11.5M
Metals $3.32M
Transport & tourism services $2.25M
Animal & marine products $1.44M
Business & finance services $1.05M
Raw materials & minerals $920K
Textiles & consumer goods $408K
Chemicals & pharma $326K
Wood & paper products $283K
Weapons & explosives $280K
Malaysia
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $25.2M
Machinery & equipment $7.59M
Chemicals & pharma $6.28M
Raw materials & minerals $2.14M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.62M
Wood & paper products $432K
Metals $282K
Miscellaneous $178K
Raw agricultural goods $151K
Precious metals & jewellery $3K

Balance of trade

Latvia Malaysia
Current account balance
-$688M
2024
$7.15B
2024
Current account balance ranking
115/190
2024
26/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.57%
2024
+1.69%
2024
Goods imports
$23.4B
2024
$223B
2024
Goods exports
$20.1B
2024
$248B
2024
Service imports
$5.86B
2024
$56.4B
2024
Service exports
$8.42B
2024
$53.4B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
66.9%
2024
66%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
65.3%
2024
71.3%
2024

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

Latvia Malaysia
Economic freedom 71.6 68
Economic freedom ranking 31/197 51/197
Property rights 88.8 62.7
Government integrity 67.7 52.9
Judicial effectiveness 70.9 63.4
Tax burden 70.9 83.5
Government spending 42.7 82
Fiscal health 80.8 62.5
Business freedom 80.7 79.6
Labor freedom 60.5 55.4
Monetary freedom 76.3 80.8
Trade freedom 79.4 83
Investment freedom 80 60
Financial freedom 60 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Latvia
Malaysia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Latvia Malaysia
2026 71.6 68
2025 71.4 67.1
2024 71.5 65.7
2023 72.8 67.3
2022 74.8 68.1
2021 72.3 74.4
2020 71.9 74.7
2019 70.4 74
2018 73.6 74.5
2017 74.8 73.8
2016 70.4 71.5
2015 69.7 70.8
2014 68.7 69.6
2013 66.5 66.1
2012 65.2 66.4
2011 65.8 66.3
2010 66.2 64.8
2009 66.6 64.6
2008 68.3 63.9
2007 67.9 63.8
2006 66.9 61.6
2005 66.3 61.9
2004 67.4 59.9
2003 66 61.1
2002 65 60.1
2001 66.4 60.2
2000 63.4 66
1999 64.2 68.9
1998 63.4 68.2
1997 62.4 66.8
1996 55 69.9
1995 - 71.9

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/latvia/malaysia | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Latvia is 71.6, ranking 31/197, compared to 68 for Malaysia, ranking 51/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Latvia Malaysia
Services, % of GDP
64.6%
2024
53.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
18.5%
2024
37%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
4.04%
2024
8.13%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$40.4B
2024
$414B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$42,660
2024
$37,450
2024
Total reserves including gold
$5.14B
2024
$116B
2024
Total reserves ranking
98/177
2024
24/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.26B
2024
-$2.55B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.51B
2024
$15.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$257M
2024
$13B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
22.5%
2022
5.8%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20.9%
2024
22%
2024

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/latvia/malaysia | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. TradeMap (2020–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.

The current account balance is the sum of net trade in goods and services, net earnings from cross-border investments, and net transfer payments. It reflects a country's economic transactions with the rest of the world and is a fundamental component of the balance of payments. A surplus indicates that a country exports more than it imports, while a deficit shows the opposite.

Gross National Income (GNI) measures a country's total income. It encompasses income earned by residents, businesses, and foreign sources, defined as employee compensation and investment profits. GNI adds product taxes not included elsewhere and subtracts subsidies. It accounts for income from residents working abroad but excludes earnings from foreigners within the country.

A negative value for Net Foreign Direct Investment indicates a country is a net receiver of investments, as foreign inflows exceed outflows after Balance of Payments adjustments. A positive value indicates a net provider, with outflows exceeding inflows. Inflows are credits (increasing foreign claims on domestic assets), while outflows are debits (increasing domestic assets abroad).

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net inflows) shows how much capital foreign investors bring into a country after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of overseas companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in the reporting country. A positive number means more capital entered the country than was withdrawn, while a negative number means foreign investors pulled out more than they invested.

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net outflows) shows how much capital residents of a country invest abroad after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of domestic companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in other countries. A positive number means more capital was invested abroad than withdrawn, while a negative number means residents pulled back more than they invested.

Formerly gross domestic investment, gross capital formation measures the share of a country’s economic output invested in fixed assets, including buildings, machinery, and infrastructure. It indicates how much of the economy is devoted to building productive capacity.